NATURALIST and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough is to officially open Abberton Reservoir which has ungone a £150 million expansion.

Essex and Suffolk Water has completed the five-year project which has seen the reservoir's capacity increase by an extra 15 billion litres of water to 41 billion litres.

Heidi Mottram, chief executive officer of Essex and Suffolk Water, said: “We all know Essex is one of the driest parts of the country, so to be able to secure water supplies for many, many years to come with this fantastic project is a real celebration and something we’re all looking forward to.”

Distinguished wildlife expert Sir David will perform the official opening at the visitor centre off Church Road, Layer-de-la- Haye, which is run in partnership with Essex Wildlife Trust on June 3.

Ms Mottram said: “We’re really pleased to be welcoming such a distinguished guest as Sir David Attenborough to help us celebrate the Abberton Reservoir expansion scheme. We’ll also be celebrating with the community who will benefit from this expansion along with the wider Essex community.”

Abberton Reservoir is important to wildlife and wildfowl and has some of the highest environmental protection designations including being a Ramsar site, a site of special scientific interest as well as being a special protection area.

The site is internationally important for dabbling ducks, such as shoveler and teal, and the enhancement project has increased the amount of shallow water habitat crucial for these birds and also the waders which frequent the reservoir.

In winter, the reservoir regularly supports more than 20,000 waterfowl, including internationally or nationally important populations of the following migratory species: John Devall, water director for Essex and Suffolk Water said: “The reservoir is living proof we can plan and complete a major water supply project and actually protect and enhance the natural environment at the same time “We’re increasing biodiversity and Sir David Attenborough is the perfect person to be able to invite and showcase this approach."

! The opening is a ticket only event. Tickets are free and limited to four per person. To apply, go to eswater.co.uk/ your-home/your-services/ the-abberton-scheme.aspx.

Registration for tickets will close at 4pm May 8.